Resource - Community Giving & Funding at the Diocese of Hereford

22/03/2026

Learn what companies really expect from charity partnerships and how to maximise your corporate fundraising income.

21/03/2026

The future of church buildings is the biggest heritage crisis facing the UK. This January, the UK Government confirmed the end of Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. It will be replaced by a £92 million four-year-fund called the Places of Worship Renewal Fund. We welcome the funding, but there's a catch. Churches will now have to pay tax.

We are thankful that the UK Government listened to us and have renewed support for churches, but this should be seen as a first step in the process. It’s imperative we get this right so that historic places of worship will benefit from the new scheme.

Churches depend overwhelmingly on volunteers; the scheme will need to be simple, accessible and predictable. We are concerned that this grant application process will be burdensome for churches, many of which rely on volunteers and do not have paid staff who can fill out expressions of interest and funding applications. Through our Support Officers, who work on the ground in every UK nation, we know that many churches have been put off applying to grant funders because of the long application process with no guarantee of success.

Wales/Cymru, Scotland and Northern Ireland must not be neglected – places of worship there need support too. We understand that Historic England, which will operate the new scheme, has a remit of supporting places of worship in England only. The Department For Culture, Media and Sport must urgently work out how they can deliver support in Wales/Cymru, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Support must be timely and able to help churches in emergencies. The new grant scheme needs to work in an agile way, so that it does not slow down urgent repair works, particularly following bad weather and storms.

The UK Government should ensure that all listed places of worship across the UK can reclaim all VAT costs on repairs and maintenance of their buildings. This brings them in line with other heritage assets, such as museums. It is not right that it costs 0% to demolish a listed church, when listed churches will now have to pay 20% tax to maintain the building. Churches across the UK save the NHS costs of £8.3 billion a year from community support they host and run in their buildings. A small thing for the UK Government, but what would make a huge difference to churches, is to remove this tax burden.

Find out more about the changes at our website: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/VAT

📸 © Mike Riddell (All Saints and St Andrew, Kingston, Cambridgeshire)

23/01/2026

🚨 A must-read for anyone interested in the future of church buildings in the UK 🚨

On the 22 January 2026, the UK Government confirmed the end of Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. It will be replaced by a £92 million four-year-fund called the Places of Worship Renewal Fund. Read our analysis below on what’s been revealed so far, and what must happen for the scheme to be successful in keeping churches open and in use.

➡️ Read it here: https://www.nationalchurchestrust.org/factcheck/placesofworshiprenewalscheme

27/09/2025

Our Black History Month 2025 Resource Guide is now live!
Explore tools to help you plan worship, lead reflection, and organise events in your churches and communities.

This year’s national theme is “Standing Firm in Power and Pride” — and our guide is designed to help you embody that with purpose.

🔗 Access the guide here:
https://wmracialjustice.org.uk/our-resources-publications/

30/07/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ZHxiR8A7v/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🆕 New Report: “Listening to Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Voices”

This powerful new report shares the experiences of GRT communities in UK churches—highlighting both deep faith and painful exclusion.

Compiled from surveys with GRT community members, it offers practical recommendations for churches to become more welcoming and culturally aware.

🛤️ It’s time to listen.
It’s time to act.
📖 Download the report (PDF): https://sanctuaryplaces.co.uk/2025/07/28/new-report-highlights-gypsy-roma-and-traveller-experiences-of-church/

19/06/2025

An event hosted by Hereford Diocese and Herefordshire County Council will help people of faith and none explore fostering.

03/06/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19B8gaaZY2/?mibextid=wwXIfr

🕊️ June is Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month.

Many GRT people have found welcome in church spaces — but exclusion and discrimination still exist.

WMRJI is sharing stories and encouraging churches to take meaningful steps toward inclusion.

🎥 Watch: https://tinyurl.com/GRT-Video
Learn more: https://sanctuaryplaces.co.uk/

Follow: GRT Friendly Churches on Facebook

10/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E1kaVQsdA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Thank you to St Andrews, Presteigne, for hosting our AGM today. A beautiful church and looking forward to working with our members going forward.
Renew, Rebuild, Regrow and moving forward with active members working together.

06/05/2025

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DEkaP4aoc/?mibextid=wwXIfr

An event hosted by Hereford Diocese and Herefordshire County Council will help people of faith and none explore fostering.

09/04/2025

🕊️ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀—𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲

In dioceses like Hereford, where around 98% of the population is white, some may wonder: Why talk about racial justice here?

But racial justice isn’t just for cities. It’s about preparing the Church to reflect the kingdom of God—wherever it’s rooted.

Demographics shift. Visitors arrive. Mission grows.
We’re called to be ready.

Here are 3 meaningful ways rural or majority-white churches can engage:

1️⃣ Explore your local story – Learn how your parish’s history reflects (or omits) issues of race and belonging.
2️⃣ Grow confidence to talk about race – Create spaces where people can reflect, ask questions, and learn without fear.
3️⃣ Prepare with purpose – Don’t wait for diversity to arrive. Begin building habits of welcome, justice, and spiritual attentiveness now.

Racial justice is part of discipleship. And every place—however small or rural—has a part to play.